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Major League Baseball Raises Awareness, Funds in the Fight Against Lou Gehrig’s Disease

July 2, 2014

This Independence Day, which is the 75th Anniversary of Lou Gehrig’s Farewell Speech to baseball, Major League Baseball (MLB) and its 30 Clubs will pay tribute to the “Iron Horse” and raise awareness of the disease that currently bears Gehrig’s name. MLB will also donate $300,000, collectively, to four ALS organizations, The ALS Association, ALS TDI, Muscular Dystrophy Association and Project A.L.S.

Clubs playing at home on July 4 will hold on-field events to honor both Gehrig’s speech as well as his legacy. Players, managers, coaches and umpires will wear a special commemorative anniversary patch on this day. MLB Clubs will also play a special video in all ballparks with one first baseman from each Club reciting a line from Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man” speech. In addition, MLB.com is slated to broadcast complete coverage of events at each Major League ballpark, which will include interviews, photographs and video highlights from its Club beat and national reporters.

Gehrig’s Club, the New York Yankees, will hold these activities on July 2.

In an MLB press release, Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said, “When Lou Gehrig delivered his historic farewell speech at Yankee Stadium 75 years ago, he indelibly linked our National Pastime to the fight against the disease that would bear his name. As the fight continues today, it is our privilege to pay tribute to the Iron Horse’s enduring legacy of courage and nobility. In his memory, and for all those who are affected by ALS, Major League Baseball is honored to do its part to advance the cause in the hopes of finding a cure.”

Via online efforts, MLB will spread ALS awareness – and raise funds in the fight against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The League will promote fundraising activities at MLBCommunity.org and at MLB.com, Cut4.com, all 30 Club sites and through official MLB and Club accounts on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. Clubs and MLB will publicize activities using the hash tag #Gehrig75. Donations received will be shared equally among the above listed ALS organizations.

In baseball stadiums this summer, MLB Clubs will share this video, made in collaboration with History®, that features The Association and other noted ALS organziations.